A 38-year-old man has appeared in court on Monday, October 12, charged with murdering a woman at a former church in Devon.

Luke Rigby, of St Barnabas Church, Newcomen Road, Dartmouth, is accused of murdering 46-year-old Rebecca Grass at St Barnabus church on Tuesday, October 6.

Rigby, who lived in a flat in the 19th century church that has been repurposed for community housing, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to John Moore.

Mr Moore sustained facial injuries that are not thought to be physically life changing and was taken to hospital.

The defendant is also charged with assaulting Joseph Slader, assaulting Louis Radford, a police officer, at Torquay Custody Centre, and with racially aggravated public disorder.

Rigby appeared via video link from Exeter Prison to Plymouth Crown Court.

Prosecutor Mary McCarthey represented the Crown while Rigby was represented by Ali Rafati.

Judge Robert Linford adjourned the case until Thursday, November 12 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

No bail application was made and Rigby was remanded in custody following a four minute long hearing.

Police and paramedics were called to the former church in the town following reports of a serious disturbance at around 9.20pm on Tuesday evening.